With less than a week left before the inauguration of Bangladesh's first-ever electric train in Dhaka, the authorities are working day and night to complete unfinished work at the stations and roads.
The stairs to get to the trains at the metro stations have already been completed, while the road renovation work under the viaduct is underway.
List of prohibitions in the vicinity
- No new tenant can move into any flats
- No new offices, shops can be opened
- No clothes drying on balconies
- No photos/festoons on buildings
- No guests at hotels
- Licensed weapons to be surrendered
- Banks to remain closed
A visit to the stations at Mirpur 10, Kazipara and Shewrapara by the Dhaka Tribune correspondent on Thursday revealed that the broken parts of the road below were being leveled with sand and bricks, while some sections were being given carpeting.
Also read: Metro rail: Everything you need to know ahead of launch
Moreover, tiles were being installed on the sidewalks. The setting up of steel fencing under the viaduct was already complete.
The Agargaon station has been fully prepared. Hence the workers removed the construction materials.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to inaugurate the Diabari (Uttara) to Agargaon section on December 28. The authorities are working towards that end. Meanwhile, the police have clamped seven restrictions considering the security of VVIPs on the day.
Passengers will be able to board the trains the following day.
Local residents and shopkeepers at Kazipara and Shewrapara said they were happy that the entire road had been opened to traffic and had eased traffic jams in the area. Moreover, the pavements have also been freed for public movement.
Azim, a resident of Kazipara, said: "We have probably suffered more than in other places because of the construction of the metro rail. There were no sidewalks. We had to walk on the road.
“It feels good now that the construction is over. The sidewalks are more modern than before. I hope that now I will not have to face any new problems.”
Mahabub, the owner of a hotel in Shewrapara, expressed relief that the work of the metro rail had been completed. He said: "There was a lot of loss due to the construction work. But I was patient.”
Mahabub said he believed that life would be easier and sales would rise once the work was done.
“Many people are using the road and coming here to see the station. People are coming and going comfortably,” he added.
